Min Chinamasa denies son ‘stole’ $7m

Min Chinamasa denies son ‘stole’ $7m: FINANCE Minister Patrick Chinamasa has demanded a stop to the “onslaught on his character and reputation”.

He insisted that he will not brook any intimidation as he pursues “economic reforms within the context of government’s economic blue print”.

The treasury chief has faced criticism over his policies, including from cabinet colleagues such as empowerment minister Patrick Zhuwao who is also President Robert Mugabe’s nephew.

Zhuwao even claimed that Chanamasa was working with western countries to topple President Mugabe.

The empowerment minister has however, since gone mute after Mugabe sided with Chinamasa in the row over government’s indigenisation programme.

But the onslaught was apparently renewed earlier this week with social media claims Tino Chinamasa, son to the finance minister, had been arrested at Beitbridge Border post while trying smuggle $7 million out of the country.

The initial post was made by a Harare-based journalist, drawing fire from minister Chinamasa.

“These rumours and claims are false, evil malicious and highly mischievous,” said the Minister in a statement Tuesday.

“I am actually emboldened to accelerate implementation of our reform agenda in order to turn around the fortunes of our economy.

“Government is consulting Afreximbank, IMF, AfDB and the World Bank to explore mechanism that could be put in place to ensure there is no abuse in the issuance of Bond Notes and that they are issued relative to the quantum exports generated in the economy.”

Meanwhile, regarding the current cash shortage, Chinamasa said the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) is available to engage any group and “fully explain the measures and how they will help address the crisis and stimulate economic activities for the benefit of Zimbabwe and its people”.

“Government supports, to the hilt, recent measures by Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe aimed at stimulating production, generating exports, reducing the import bill and containing externalisation of foreign currency,” he said.